Hotel History - The Tremont House Key to Revitalization of Historic Strand District

10/02/2013

The Tremont House is a Galveston tradition that dates back to 1839. The original Tremont House, built in the same year that Galveston was founded, was one of the island’s most sought-after destinations. Located at the corner of Postoffice and Tremont Streets, the sturdy two-story building was the largest and finest hotel in the Republic of Texas.

The Tremont House drew visitors from across the region, America and the world. Elegant Victorians came to dance at grand balls, and soldiers from three wars returned to homecoming banquets. Sam Houston delivered his last public speech. Cotton merchants haggled over deals, and Sioux chiefs sampled Southern cuisine. Six American presidents and foreign ministers from France and England came to call. During the Civil War, Confederate, then Union, soldiers made a home in the hotel.

In June 1865, The Tremont House faced its first trial – a great fire that raged in the Strand District for days and destroyed entire city blocks. For more than five years, the beloved landmark lay in ruins. Then several of the island’s business leaders organized a company to build a new hotel on the ashes of the old.

The grand new Tremont House was a magnificent, four-story structure that rivaled anything in the South. Noted architect Nicholas Clayton, who designed the hotel, went on to design many of Galveston’s most distinguished and beautiful buildings. The second Tremont House opened in 1872 and for years attracted dignitaries from around the world.

In 1900, disaster struck again. A monster hurricane barreled into the Gulf of Mexico and landed a direct hit on the island. As the economy slipped into depression, the once-grand hotel feel into ruin and the second Tremont House was demolished in 1928.

But the legendary hotel was destined to rise again in a new location. In 1985, George and Cynthia Mitchell acquired the architecturally lavish Leon & H. Blum Building and began its transformation in the third Tremont House. Once the South’s premiere wholesale dry goods concern, the 1879 building is now a remarkable hotel that captures the spirit and elegance of its predecessors. When the hotel opened in 1985 it was the first major hotel to open in downtown Galveston in sixty years. It was a catalyst for the revitalization of Galveston’s historic downtown. Standing in the heart of the wonderfully revitalized Strand National Historic Landmark District and newly designated Downtown Cultural Arts District, The Tremont House is now surrounded by shops, galleries, restaurants, lofts, offices and museums tracing the vibrant history of the island.

The Tremont House joined the elite ranks of Wyndham’s hotels in 1996.

About The Tremont House

The Tremont House, A Wyndham Grand® Hotel, is owned by the Cynthia and George Mitchell family as part of Mitchell Historic Properties. The Tremont House is a 119-room boutique style hotel located in the heart of The Strand National Historic Landmark District and Galveston’s Downtown Cultural Arts District. This historic hotel features 14,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a bistro-style café, fitness center and two bars for entertainment – the 1888 Toujouse Bar and The Rooftop Bar. For reservations, call (409) 763-0300 or visit www.TheTremontHouse.com.

About Wyndham Grand

Wyndham Grand® is an ensemble of distinguished hotels that are approachable by design, representing one-of-a-kind experiences in key destinations with refined accommodation, attentive service and relaxed surroundings. A part of Wyndham Hotel Group, the Wyndham Grand family currently consists of approximately 40 locations around the world. Additional information is available at www.wyndhamgrand.com. Most Wyndham Grand® hotels are franchised by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC or its affiliates. Certain Wyndham Grand hotels are owned or managed by an affiliate of Wyndham Hotel Group, LLC. Wyndham Hotel Group is the world’s largest hotel company based on number of hotels, encompassing nearly 9,000 hotels and approximately 790,000 rooms in 80 countries. Additional information is available at www.wyndhamworldwide.com. For more information about hotel franchising opportunities visit www.whgdevelopment.com.

About Galveston Island

Galveston Island is a historic beach town located on the Gulf of Mexico just 50 miles from Houston. The island is best known as a vacation destination, offering 32 miles of beaches, a variety of family attractions, Texas’ premier cruise port and one of the largest and well-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country. For more information on Galveston Island visit www.galveston.com or call 1-888-GAL-ISLE.

Related Images

The late Cynthia Wood Mitchell and George Mitchell pictured in front of The Tremont House prior to its restoration. The Mitchells converted this 1879 dry goods warehouse into a hotel named The Tremont House which opened in 1985.